THE BROKEN DREAM

Yoshi-Kate Abana Balad, born in 2008, was the pride and joy of her parents, Rebecca and Jude Balad, in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. She was their only child, and they poured their attention and limited resources into her education. Yoshi-Kate excelled, eventually graduating junior high as the class valedictorian, symbolizing the family’s hope for a better future.

Jude worked as a security guard, and Rebecca, recognizing his salary was insufficient, made the difficult decision to work abroad in Taiwan as a production operator. The couple agreed to save meticulously to start their own business.

The family’s arrangement involved a deep sacrifice. While Rebecca worked overtime in Taiwan, Jude remained in the Philippines. However, their relationship was slowly corroded by mistrust and distance.

Jude, the father, had allegedly developed a crippling addiction to online sabong (cockfighting) and casino gambling, accumulating significant personal debts.

Rebecca’s earnings, intended for their future, were being diverted by Jude to fund his vice.

When she discovered this, their video calls were filled with arguments. Rebecca, suspicious and resolute, decided to take action to protect their savings and her daughter’s future.

In 2024, before returning to Taiwan, Rebecca took Yoshi-Kate to the bank and opened a secret bank account, giving her daughter control over the funds. The plan was to shock Jude by cutting off his cash supply, hoping to force him into sobriety. Yoshi-Kate was sworn to secrecy.

On July 16, 2024, Rebecca returned to Taiwan. Just days later, Jude discovered the secret bank account and his access to the money was cut off.

Consumed by debt and rage—and facing the imminent inability to gamble—he confronted his wife during a video call. The two had a heated argument, with Rebecca refusing to finance his addiction.

The confrontation triggered a fatal reaction. On the evening of July 24, 2024, the security guard returned to their house, still consumed by anger.

He called Yoshi-Kate over from her grandparents’ house. Moments after she entered, the grandparents heard Yoshi-Kate screaming, “Papa, huwag, Papa!” (Father, stop, Father!).

The grandparents rushed to the scene. The grandfather managed to wrestle the weapon away from Judy, but Yoshi-Kate was already tragically wounded.

She was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced lifeless on arrival due to severe blood loss from multiple stab wounds.

Judy Asis Balad was quickly apprehended. He admitted his actions, claiming that the argument with his wife had driven him to a depressive rage, which he channeled onto his daughter. He was charged with parricide.

Later, in his jail cell, Judy attempted to take his own life using a broken spoon. He survived but was placed under strict surveillance.

His surviving wife and family, devastated by the betrayal, vowed never to forgive him for taking the life of their beloved daughter and granddaughter.